length of daytime and nighttime, and the religious festival to be observed. The date itself is
a month and day number when the Sun is in a new zodiacal constellation (not a zodiacal
sign) or simply a day number. Computation of the lengths of daytime (the interval from
sunrise to sunset) assumes that the ratio of maximum (M) to minimum (m), where M + m =
24 and vary with latitude, is 14:10 equinoctial hours (which is consistent with the reference
to Saïs). The scheme starts with Thoth 1; it supposes that the length of daytime increases
daily for 180 days by^1 / 45 hour, stays the same for four days, decreases daily for 180 days
by^1 / 45 hour, and then stays the same for three days before increasing again. The day after
the days of maximum or minimum daytime is called a solstice (trope ̄). In essence, P.Hibeh 1.27
adapts a Babylonian linear zigzag scheme for lengths of daytime and night-time throughout
a year of 360 days such as is found in MUL.APIN (see B A) to
the Egyptian year of 365 days, by flattening the extremes in order to accommodate the
five extra days (see P. P G 1 ).
The astronomical evidence, though schematic, suggests that the calendar was composed
for the interval of a few decades around 300 BCE; and the handwriting is consistent with the
papyrus’ being written then.
P.Hibeh 1 (1906) 138–157; Neugebauer (1975) 599–600, 706; Alan C. Bowen and B.R. Goldstein,
“Hipparchus’ Treatment of Early Greek Astronomy,” PAPS 135 (1991) 238–245.
Alan C. Bowen
Papyrus Hibeh 2.187 (325 – 240 BCE)
The exiguous remains of P. Hibeh 2.187 describe methods for increasing the yield and
sweetness of almonds; in both cases drilling the trunk is the primary recommendation. The
close resemblance this text bears to T, HP 2.7.6–7, suggests that it is an
abridgement or a source of Theophrastos. ( This work appears to be the sole technical
treatise on agriculture among the Egyptian papyri: PSI 6.624 is not a manual on viticulture,
but a report written by Ze ̄no ̄n, secretary of Apollo ̄nios, about the work performed by
vine-dressers on one of his estates.)
Pack #1985.
Philip Thibodeau
Papyrus Hibeh (Ophthalmology) (300 – 250 BCE)
Fragment of a work deploying pneuma to explain the mechanism of vision and the
pathology, etiology, and therapy of eye-diseases.
Pack #2343; Marganne (1994) 37–96.
PTK
Papyrus Holmiensis (230 – 350 CE)
A compendium of alchemical recipes on loose papyrus folios of unknown provenance, but
probably written by the same scribe or group of scribes as P. L X. The papyrus
contains 155 separate alchemical recipes: 1–9 concern gold and mostly ase ̄mos; 10– 88
involve stones and 89–159 treat materials; some recipes are identical with or similar to those
in P. Leidensis X (see concordances in Halleux 1981: 14–15).
The papyrus cites a certain Aphrikianos (recipes 116 and 141), possibly I A.
PAPYRUS HIBEH 2.187